Vehicle spring suspension



E. H. BELDEN. VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I5, 19H.

Patented- Feb. 28, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lauwmtoz Edward M. Be/oen E." H.'BELDEN. VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15. I917- Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

EDWARD H. BELDEN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNEA SSIGNMENTS, TO'THE WILLYS OVERLAND COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD H. BnLDnN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle Spring Suspensions, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in the chassis of motor vehicles, and particularly to improvements in the frame con struction thereof, the connections between the frame and the axles, and the manner in which the frame is supported from the axles by the springs.

The principal object ofthisinvention is to devise an improved spring suspension for motor vehicles of such a nature as to permit of the use of a shorterwheel base while giving the effect of a long wheel base and providing easy riding qualities and permitting the use of a longer and 'roomier A further objectof this invention is to provide a spring suspension for motor 1 vehicles in which th: sprin s form the onl connection between the frame and the axles and in which no radius rods are needed. Still another ob ect of my invention .1s to provide an improved and simplified frame construction and connections between said frame and 'the axles, which will be very simple in construction, light in weight, and which can be manufactured at a very low cost. w

C Other objects, andobjects relating to details of construction and economies of manufacture, will definitely appear from the detailed clescriptionvto' follow.-

Iaccomplishthe objects of my invention in one instance by the: devices and, means described in the following .speclficatlon, but

itis 'evident that the' -same'may be varied widelywithout departingafrom' the scope of the inventionas' pointed out in the appended claims.

A econstruction constituting a preferred tion embodying my invention;

"Figure II 183 view 1n front elevation; Figure III -1s' a-view 1n rear elevation;

-Figure IV is a fragmentaryview in side elevation, showing the-rear spring eon-struc Specification o f,Letters'latent. Patgnted- F I 28,- 1922 Application filed June 15, 1917. Serial No. 174,934. r i

tion and its connection with the rear end of the frame and the rear axle;

Figure V is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the frontspring construction and its connection with the front end of the frame and the front axis;

Figure VI is an enlarged, detail, sectional new, taken substantially on the line VL VI of Figure I; a I Figure VII is anenlarged, detail, sectional view, taken substantially on the line VII VII of Figure I; i a

Figure VIII is an enlarged, detail, friagmentary, sectional view, showing theconnections between the ends of the frame members; and p I i Figure IX is a viewinside elevatiomjsimilar to Figure Vbut showing a slightly modified form of my invention. 7 I i In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similarparts throughout the several views, and the sectional views drawings, it will be seen that the frame comprises a pair of channel bar members 16, the endportions l7 'of'which are bentinwardly towards each other, so that the extreme end portions thereof engage and may be spotwelded together, as at 18;.in ordertofacilitate the assembly of the frame and spring members. al front wheels 14, and the rear axle 113 carries the usual rear driving wheels 15, and the only connections between saidaxles and the frames are preferably the cantilever springs 19, at front andrear, through which the frame is suspended from the .aXle. Said springs 19 are disposed at anglesto the-axle and converge towards each other from their connection with the axles, said springsbeing connected tothe extreme end portions of the frame. vThe inner ends of said cantilever springs lie in the channels of the end per The front axle 10 carries the usu tions 17 of the frame member at the ends thereof and a channel shaped yoke 20 is disposed over the connected end portions 17 of the frame members, embracing said end portions 17 and holdingthe ends of the springs '19 in position in the channels of the frame members, as clearlyappears from Figures VI and VII. Bolts 23 extend through the channel shaped yoke 20, the frame member17, ands'pring 19,-andare helddn' place by the nuts 23 threaded thereon. The yoke member 20 and the springs 19 are also held in place. by the shackle. bolts '24:,each of which surrounds yoke 20 and has its ends passing through strap 25 below the frame member and the lower edges of the yoke 20, said shackle bolts being held in place by means of the nuts 26 on the ends thereof. 7

It will be seen that, in this manner, the inner ends of the springs are rigidly connected to the ends of the frame sections so that they cannot twist or turn or work loose therefrom. Furthermore, the yoke member 20 serves as a positive rigid connection be tween the ends of the frame members. The

frame members 17, as has already been pointedout, are spot-welded together at 18,

the frame members, although it reinforces the connection provided by the yoke 20 described above.

The ends of the front springs are connected to the front axle by means of the bolts 27 passing through the ends ofsaid' springs and through the. front axle, as clearly shown in Figure V. Yokes 28 are formed on the rear axle casing, as shown in; Figure III, and the ends of the springs 19 are secured to pins or bolts 29, carried by said yokes, so that the ends of said springs 19 are securedin place in said yokes on the rear axle casin In Figure I; I have shown a. slightly modified form of my invention in which the forward ends of the frame members have a slight drop so as to enable the suspension of the'frame at a slightly greaterdistance above the axle and also to provide for a somewhat dliferent curvature of the spring i It will be seen that the frame is comprised of the two channel bars 16 the ends of which are bent towards each other and secured together so that an oval frame is formed, as clearly appears from Figure I. The assem blage of the frame is thus very much simpli ed, the ends of the two channel bars being merely spot-welded together, and the permanent connections between'the ends of sa1d channel bars being formedby the con' 1 nections for securing the springs 19 in place.

The ends of the frame extend a consider able d stance beyond the axles and the springs 19 have their ends connected to the axles and converge therefrom to the points ofconnection with the ends of the frame, to which they are rigidly connected by means of the yoke 20,the bolts 23 and the shackle bolts Zl', as clearly findicated in Figures riding qualities. i

pension, the axles may be located closer together and the wheel base will thus be shorter, while, since the points of suspension of the frame are further separated than the axles, this suspension gives all the advantages of a longer wheel base, including the easier riding qualities, and the possibility of using a larger'and roomier body.

It will further be apparent that, by the use of this method of spring suspension, there is no necessity for using radius rods connecting therear axle to the frame, since the springs 19 form a connection between the frame and the rear axle which prevents the twisting or turning of the rear axle casing relative to the frame and also transmits the driving or tractive force from the rear wheels and the rear axle casing to the frame; By uslng my improved spring.suspension.

the construction of the motor vehiclefranie and running gear is therefore greatly simplified, the weight is greatly reduced, -and the manufacturing cost is correspondingly lessened without sacrificing strength or easy e I have found that this particular embodiment of my invention is very desirablefrom many standpoints, but I am also. aware that it may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of m; invention, and, therefore, claim my invention broadlyand specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

1. In a vehicle, the combination of a frame comprisinga pair of channel bars having their ends bent towardsieach other and spot.- welded together; front and rear axles; a

pair of cantilever springs, rigidlyconnected at their rear ends to said front axle adjacent the ends thereof, and converging forwardlyto their connection with the front end of the frame; a second pair of. cantilever springs connected ,at their forward ends to said rear axle and converging rearwardly to their connection with the rear end of said frame, the adjacent ends of each pair of springs being confined in the channel bars; andchannel shaped yokes secured over the connected ends of said bars 'andrigidly connecting the adjacent ends of said channel;

nected together; front and rear axles; a pair,

of cantilever springs connected at their rear ends to said front axle, adjacent the'ends rear end of said frame, the adjacent ends of each air of springs being confined in the channel ars adjacent the ends thereof; and

'yokes secured over the connected ends of said channel bars and rigidly connecting the adjacent ends of said channel bars and said springs.

3. In a Vehicle, the combination of a frame, comprising a pair of channel bars having their ends bent towards each other and connected together; front and rear axles; a pair of cantilever springs connected at their rear ends to said front axle, adjacent the ends thereof and converging forwardly to their connection with the front end of said frame; a second pair of cantilever' springs connected at their; forward ends to said rear axle, and converging 'r'earwardly to their connection with the rear end of "said frame, the adjacent ends of each pair/of springs being confined in the channel 'bars adjacent the enas thereof; and

yokes rigidly connecting the ad acent ends of saidchannel bars and said'springs. 4. In a vehicle, the combination of a frame; comprising a pair of channel bars havingtheir ends bent towards each other and connected together; front 'and rear axles; a pair ofcantilever springs connected at their rear ends to said front axle, and

converging forwardly to their connection with the front end of saidframe; mean for rigidly connecting together'the acent forward ends of said springsand the adjacent ends of said channel bars; a pair of cantilever springs connected fat their forward ends to said rear axle and converging rearwardly to their connection withthere'ar end of said frame; and means rigidly connecting together therea' r ends of said springs and said channel bars.

In a vehicle,'the combination of a frame; front and rear axles; 'a pair of'cantilever springs connected at their rear ends tosaid front axle and converging forwardly to their connection with the frontend 'ofsaid frame; means for rigidly connecting theforward ends of said springs tols'aid frame; a second pair of cantilever springs, connected at their forward ends to said rear axle and converging rearwardly to their connection with therearend of said frame; and means for rigidly connecting the rear ends of said spring to said frame.

6. In a vehicle, the combination of an oblong frame; frontand rear'iaxles; span of cantilever springs, connected at their rear ends to said frontaxle andconverging forwardly and upwardly to tlieend of said oblong frame; means connecting the forward ends of said springs tothe forward end of saidframe; a second pair of cantilever springs, connected at their forward ends to'said rear'axleand converging rearwardly to the end ofsaid oblong frame and means for connecting the rear ends of said springs to the rear end of said frame.

7.'1nfa vehicle, the combination of a frame front and rear axles; a pair of cantilever springs, connected at their rear ends to said front axle and extending forwardly to their connection with the front end of said frame centrally thereof; means for connecting the forward ends of said springs with said frame; a second pair of cantilever'springs, connected at their forward ends to said rear axle and extending rearwardly to their connection with the 'rear end of said frame; and means for connecting the rear ends of said springs to the rear end of said frame. 1

8. In a vehicle, the combination of a' frame; an extension for said frame; an 'axle; a pair of cantilever springs, connected at one having their ends bent towards each other and spot welded together; an axle; a pair 0fcant1lever springs, connected at one end to s'aid axle and extending from said axle totheir connection'with one end of said frame; and means rigidly connecting the "ends ofs'aid channelbars together and with "said springs.

10. Ina vehicle the combination of a frame comprising a pair of channel bars having their endsbent toward eaclrother, and a yoke" rigidly connecting the adj acent endsof said channel bars, front andrear axles, a pair of'cantilever springs connected at theirrearends to said frontaxle adjacent the ends thereofandconvergingfoiy w'ardly to the front end of said frame, a sec- "ond pairof cantilever springsconn'ected at their forwardends to said rear axle and converging rearwardly to them connection "with 'the'rear end of'said frame,"and"me'ans for connecting each pair of springs to said frame. 1

ll.-In a "vehicle, the comb1nat1'on"of a frame, front 'andrear axles, a pair of springs "connected at one end tosaid front axle and mentioned springs to said frame.

said frame, means for connecting the forward ends of said springs withsaid frame, a second pair. of cantilever springs connected at their forward ends to the rear axle and extendingrearwardly to a point centrally of the rear end of said frame, and meansfor connecting the rear ends of said springs to the rear end of said frame.

13. In a vehicle having in combination a frame, a front axle and a driving rear axle, a pair of springs connected at oneend to said front axle and converging forwardly between said axle and said frame, means for connecting said springs to said frame,a second pair of springs connected to said rear driving axle and converging rearwardly between said axle and said frame, and means for connecting said last mentioned springs to said frame. I

14. In a vehicle, the combination. of a frame, a front and a rear axle and-cantilever springs secured to the ends of the frame at .the central portion thereof and connected to the axles attheir oppositeends, the distance between said axles being less than the distance between the ends of the frame.-

15. In a vehicle, the combination of a frame, a front axle, a rear axle and springs each connected to an axle and to. the vehicle -frame centrally thereof, thefdistance between the ends of the springs connected to said frame being greater than the distance between the ends of the springs connected to the axles.

16. In avehi'cle, having-a front and a rear axle, a frame extending beyond sai d front and rear axles on either end of the.lon gitudinal body portion of said frame, and

a spring suspension for said frame having springs connected to said axles adjacent each qextremitythereof and to the extended ends of said frame at the centralportion thereof, said springs located at an angle to. the longitudinal axis of said frame.

a frontaxle and a rearaxle, the one independent of the other, a vehicle frame, a

spring suspension between said frameand running gear lncluding spring means connected at one point to said frame and to said running gear at one end of the vehicle,

spring means connected to said frame at anmeans being arranged ,to permit vertical,

movement between the frame and running gear and tend to prevent relative movement in a lateral direction therebetween, the

points of connection between the spring nieans andthe frame constitutinga two- 'point suspension between the frame and the runn ng gear. j J

. I 18. In a vehicle, a runn ng gear including a front axle and a rear axle, the one independent of the other, a vehicle frame, and a spring suspension between said frame and said running gear including a pair of canti- ..tweensaid frame and axles and connected to each of said axles and to said frame adj acent the medial: line, only and in said extensions. t j I bination, therewith of a frame having 'a body portion and end extensions beyond said including outwardly extending converging springs connected to each of, said axles, ad-

;jacent the ends thereof and to saidframe adjacent themedial line thereof in said extensions. I

,20. Ina vehicle, havinga running gear 7 ncludlng a front andrear axle, the-com- I '21. In a vehicle having a front axle, a rear axle, and a frame having ,extensionsbeyond said axles,.a spring. suspension for each end of the frame includingmultiple leaf cantilever springs of varying leaf lengths connected at their rigidends to said extensions adj acent the medial line thereof and at their operative ends to said, axles adjacent the wheels thereof. Y 1; a

'22. In a vehicle, having a front axle, a rear axle, a frame havinga body portion and a front andrearextensionbeyond said 5 front and rearaxles, the combination there- 17. Ina vehicle, a running gear including withof a spring suspension for each end of said frame including a pairof springs located between saidframe and oneof said axles and connected to said axle and to the corresponding-frame extension adjacent to the medial line of the frame, said springs being located at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

. ,23. In avehicle, havinga front axle, a

rear axle, aframe having a bodyportion and a front and rear extensionbeyond said front and rearaxles, a combination there- 'with of aspringsuspension for each end of said frame including a pair of converging springs, of the multiple leaf cantilever type having leaves of varying lengths connected to an axle at the small end of the springs and to said frame extensions adjacent to the medial line of the frame at the thick rigid ends of said springs.

24;. In a vehicle, having a front axle, a rear axle and a frame, a spring suspension for each end of said frame, including converging cantilever springs connected to an axle and to the frame adjacent to the medial line thereof.

25. In a vehicle having a running gear including independent front and rear axles, a frame and a two point suspension therefor including cantilever springs connected to said axles and to said frame centrally at each end thereof each of said springs being arranged to make an acute angle with the axis of said frame.

26. Ina vehicle, having a front axle, a

rear axle and a frame, the combination therewith of spring suspension for each end of the frame connected to the frame adjacent to the medial line thereof, the spring suspension including a plurality of springs connected at one end to the frame and at their other end to the axle adjacent each extremity thereof.

27. In a vehicle having an axle and a frame extending beyond said axle, a spring suspension including a spring located at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the frame, said spring extending between said axle and said frame connectedto the axle adjacent a wheel thereof and to the frame extension centrally thereof, said spring being rigidly associated with the frame and pivotally connected with the axle.

28. In a vehicle having an axle and a frame having a portion extending beyond said axle, a spring suspension including a spring of the multiple leaf cantilever type connected at the rigid end thereof to the extending portion of said frame centrally thereof, the opposite end of said spring being pivotally connected to said axle.

29. In a vehicle having an axle, a frame and an extension beyond said axle, and a spring suspension therefor, including spring means having angularly disposed spring portions having multiple leaves of varying lengths connected at the thick ends of said frame extension centrally thereof and connected to said axle at the thin ends thereof adjacent each end of the axle.

30. In a vehicle, having a front axle, a rear axle, a frame having extensions beyond each of said axles, a spring suspension for each of said frame extensions including spring portions connected at one end to an axle and at the opposite end to one of said extensions adjacent the medial line of the frame.

81. Ina vehicle having an axle, a frame having a portion extending beyond said axle and a spring suspension for said extending portion including a pair of springs disposed 'angularly with respect to each other with adjacent ends secured at a com- 7 mon point to said extension and with their opposite ends pivoted to the outer portions of said axle.

32. In a vehicle having independent front and rear axle units, a vehicle frame unit, and a spring suspension between the frame unit and the axle unit connected at three points only at each end of the vehicle, said suspension comprising a plurality of springs at each end of the frame unit connected at one end at substantially one point with one of said units and at two points with the other of said units.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWARD H. BELDEN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,407,914, granted February 28,

1922, upon the application of Edward H. Belden, of Toledo, Ohio, for an improve- I ment in Vehicle Spring Suspensions, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction ae follows: Page 4, line 120, claim 22, after the Word axle insert the Words adjacent each end thereof, page 5, line 54, claim 29, for the Word of read to; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same -may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of April, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] KARL FEN N IN G,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

